AN AFFAIR WITH MUSIC: DJ Lexy J engages Dr. Figar Pheto

SHARE | Tuesday, 17 October 2017 | By Dj Lexy J

Dr Figar Pheto is a Dentist by profession, practicing at her clinic, Agape Dental Clinic in Gaborone. She is from Serowe and married in Molepolole to renowned Gospel Musician Phempheretlhe Bafana Pheto and they have been blessed with three children, two boys and a girl.

DJ LEXY J: I’d like to know your relationship with music, when did the love begin? How far back can you remember?

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DR PHETO: I have loved music since I was a little girl. I still remember that when I was very young, together with my cousins we would dance a lot to Brenda Fassie and Yvonne Chaka Chaka in my grandparents’ living room. RB 1 would play our favourite songs on Saturday morning and we would really get down to those tunes. I was born and raised in a Christian family, so we would also go to church where I also loved gospel music. I still remember singing my heart out at Sunday school. I am not a good singer, but you should see me singing my heart out….you will be taken aback.

DJ LEXY J: What kind of music do you love and how often do you indulge yourself?

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DR PHETO: As a born again Christian I listen to gospel music now. I love it dearly. When I am down gospel music elevates my spirit. It is more than music to me .I listen to both Traditional and contemporary Gospel. I listen to my husband Phempheretlhe Pheto’s music a lot. I also fell in love with the music of artists who used to hold shows with him i.e. Mmereki Marakakgoro, Mpho Nakedi and Bleskit Isaac. I travelled with them around to their shows in early years of our marriage and loved their music. I also grew up in the same church with Tshepo lesole and Joel Keitumele and I have always loved their music. Outside our borders I absolutely love Joyous celebration, Spirit of Praise and Shirley Caesar. A dose of Kirk Franklin’s gospel tunes is also good for my mood. I listen to music everyday especially when I am driving.

DJ LEXY J: How has music influenced your life over the years?

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DR PHETO: Music is an integral part of my life. Like I mentioned whenever I am low in spirit it elevates me, when I am sad it comforts me. When I am happy I sing out a song. I talk to God through Music and I hear God speaking to me through different songs. It is unfortunate that I am not a talented singer, because I would touch the world through music.

DJ LEXY J: Does the music you listen to now differ from what you listened to growing up?

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DR PHETO: During my primary school years music had no deeper meaning to me, I just danced to any tune that sounded good to my ear. Whereas, in my teenage years I became a Born Again Christian and started dancing specifically to gospel music because I understood the messages conveyed in the music.

DJ LEXY J: Can you think of any particular music/song that you associate a memory, mood, or place with?

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DR PHETO: It is definitely a song by Shirley Caesar, HE WILL DO IT AGAIN; this tune is from her album, I REMEMBER MAMA. I remember listening to the song while travelling back home from overseas where I was studying to attend to my father’s funeral. The song goes like, “You may feel you are too low, but the Lord will do it again, he will lift you up….” Every time I hear this song, memories come rushing, especially of moments when my spirits were down and low in my life.

DJ LEXY J: What is your all-time favourite song(s)?

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DR PHETO: Balatedi by Phempheretlhe Pheto from his album Legae; El-shadai by Mmereki Marakakgoro from his album Eet-sum-more; Ant Hill by Gabo Thotobolo from her album Ant Hill

DJ LEXY J: Who is your all-time favourite artist, and why?

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DR PHETO: Phempheretlhe Bafana Pheto. Firstly, because he is my husband… Hahaha, I bet you could see this one coming… Secondly, I love his passion for music. He sings from the bottom of his heart. He has aligned his life to live an upright life before God and before people, which I think every musician should do, to positively influence the society. Music is a’ Calling’ and a ‘Lifestyle’ for him.

DJ LEXY J: What’s on your playlist and how do you choose the music that goes onto it?

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DR PHETO: Joyous Celebration, Spirit of Praise, Phempheretlhe Pheto, Mpho Nakedi, Shirley Caesar. I choose music that speaks to my spirit, songs that are more than songs; songs that cut deep into my soul.